ASU FOOTBALL

Pac-12 ends on a high note as final 2 schools remain in flux

Dec 2, 2023, 4:30 PM

The Pac-12...

The Pac-12 logo is seen on the field after the 115th Apple Cup between the Washington Huskies and the Washington State Cougars at Husky Stadium on November 25, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

LAS VEGAS (AP) — George Kliavkoff, as is the custom for a conference commissioner, handed the Pac-12 Championship trophy to Washington coach Kalen DeBoer on Friday night and quickly got out of the way.

Having been at the center of the Pac-12 meltdown and with this almost certainly the conference’s last championship game, Kliavkoff could hardly be blamed for wanting the spotlight shone elsewhere.

As joyous as the third-ranked Huskies felt about defeating No. 5 Oregon 34-31 for a spot in the College Football Playoff, those emotions also were tempered about what’s being left behind. Both teams will be Big Ten Conference rivals beginning next season.

“It is sad to see it happen, for that to be the last football game,” DeBoer said. “I think the other part was understanding how strong the conference was this year. There were eight teams, I believe, that at one point were ranked in the Top 25 and we played the best ones and one of them twice. I don’t think there’s anyone else in the country that’s gone through what we’ve gone through.”

Now the Pac-12 becomes the Pac-2 with only Oregon State and Washington State sticking around. They were the ones left behind, and on Friday announced a six-game scheduling alliance with the Mountain West.

What happens beyond next season is anyone’s guess. Oregon State and Washington State could agree to some kind of merger with the Mountain West or look to rebuild Pac-12 by taking the top teams from the Group of Five leagues.

Or they could outright join the Mountain West.

The Conference of Champions has been reduced to the Conference of Could’ve Beens.

“The Pac-12 has been an historical conference for a long time,” Oregon quarterback Bo Nix said. “I don’t know necessarily what the future holds or what it looks like, but to have the year we had with the Pac-12 and the conference as talented as it was, it’s a huge respect level for the entire Pac-12.”

The fans came out Friday for one last bit of Pac-12 glory before the bowl season and College Football Playoff start. Then the 10 departing teams begin in earnest to plan for what’s to come, be it in the Big Ten, Atlantic Coast Conference or Big 12.

Jason and Kelli Baucom are two of those fans. They’ve been together for 20 years, 13 as a married couple, and the two Las Vegas residents always watch Oregon play on Kelli’s birthday.

“She is from Oregon and over 20 years of influence and psychological manipulation, I have become an Oregon Duck fan,” said Jason, who was grew up a UCLA fan.

What hasn’t been easy for the Baucoms is knowing the complexion of the Pac 12 will look different with two teams next season. They are saddened by what’s happened to the conference, which made being at the title game even more meaningful.

“It only seemed fitting that we were playing to avenge our (only) loss, and for a chance to land in the College Football Playoff,” Kelli said before the game. “As an Oregonian and lifelong Oregon fan, there is no better scenario that I could think of to the end of the Pac-12 era.”

Also sitting in the stands was Lincoln Kennedy, a star offensive lineman at Washington before going on to an 11-year NFL career, including eight seasons with the Oakland Raiders.

“I’m excited for what the Dawgs have an opportunity to do here in Vegas,” said Kennedy, the radio analyst for the Las Vegas Raiders. “The conference is dissolving, but I will never forget what it means to be a Dawg and the history and people this great conference has created.”

ASU Football

ASU head coach Kenny Dillingham says he wants a covered area to practice in...

Damon Allred

ASU’s Kenny Dillingham eyeing a facility change for better efficiency

Kenny Dillingham on Friday said ASU is in the process of getting a covered area for practice that's connected to the football facility. Players currently shuttle to practice fields on the other side of Rural Road.

9 hours ago

Tempe brewery NIL...

Arizona Sports

Tempe brewery signs sponsorship and NIL deal with ASU

Tempe-based Huss Brewing Co. announced it has signed a multifaceted sponsorship deal with Arizona State University, which includes the creation of a Sun Devil specific ale.

3 days ago

ASU's Kenny Dillingham and Sam Leavitt...

Damon Allred

Kenny Dillingham needs ASU hungry for fall 2025, details offensive tweaks

Kenny Dillingham has a tall task in front of him in getting ASU to sustain good football into 2025 and prove its magical 2024 was not an aberration.

3 days ago

Wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan #4 of the Arizona Wildcats runs during the second half against the ...

Brandon Cadiz

Mel Kiper Jr: Tetairoa McMillan a top 10 prospect, Cam Skattebo outside top 5 RBs in NFL Draft

Mel Kiper Jr. has Arizona's Tetairoa McMillan as a top-seven prospect and Arizona State's Cam Skattebo top 10 in his running back rankings.

3 days ago

Larry Fitzgerald...

Damon Allred

Larry Fitzgerald praises Kenny Dillingham following ASU offer to son Devin

Larry Fitzgerald threw some credit Kenny Dillingham's way following his son's recent offer to be a Sun Devil.

4 days ago

Arizona State...

David Veenstra

Arizona State Sun Devils football signing day tracker

Arizona State football announced three-star running back Grayson Rigdon (Texas) committed on Tuesday. 

5 days ago

Pac-12 ends on a high note as final 2 schools remain in flux